The quarterback hasn't played in the NFL since Sept. 24, 2001, but the Raiders just signed him to a veteran's-minimum $810,000 contract Monday morning.

He worked out for team officials Sunday, passed a physical and practiced Monday afternoon in a No. 3 jersey, the same number he wore for Oakland in 1997 and '98.

"It feels like I never left," George said. "I've always said when that call comes, I want to make sure I'm ready, and I've kept myself in pretty good shape."

George, who turns 39 in December, spent last year dabbling in real estate and running a run-and-shoot offense for a fourth-grade football team in his hometown of Indianapolis.

The Raiders and George have been in contact since coach Art Shell was hired in February. When backup quarterback Andrew Walter sat last week with shoulder trouble, the Raiders decided this was a good time to bring in George.

George was fourth in line for quarterback snaps during practice behind Aaron Brooks, Walter -- he's better now -- and Marques Tuiasosopo. The 53-man roster must be finalized Sunday, and Shell isn't against carrying a fourth quarterback as "insurance."

"I've always been intrigued by the guy and couldn't figure out why a talent like him doesn't spend his years in one place," Shell said.

For starters, George's career has been potholed by arguments with his head coaches. He got into a shouting match with June Jones in Atlanta midway through the 1996 season and was unceremoniously dumped.

George also got into a sideline run-in with Washington's Marty Schottenheimer in 2001, and was cut loose after two games. George had brief roster stints with Seattle in 2002 and Chicago in 2004, but did not play.

Every year, when the NFL Draft swings around, George makes someone's list as an all-time bust. He was picked first overall by Indianapolis in 1990, but is 46-78 as a starter since then with five teams.

His last 16-start season was 1997, his first with the Raiders. He threw for 3,917 yards and 29 touchdowns. A groin injury limited him to eight games in 1998, and the Raiders let him walk as a free agent instead of ponying up a $5 million bonus.

George maintained a good relationship with owner Al Davis, who was willing to give George a last-ditch chance to fit his strong arm into the Raiders' vertical offense.

"This is my style of system, no doubt about it," George said. "I just want to go out and bust my butt and do what I can."

By George, he's back
Jeff George, who hasn't thrown a pass in
the NFL since 2001, played for the Raiders in 1997 and '98. Here's how he fared
in his first stint, and his stats with the other 6 teams in his 16-year career:
Att/Cmp Yds TDs INTs
Raiders 690/383 5,103 33 14
Other teams 3277/1915 22,499 121 99